Prashant Kishor: Why India's Political Start-ups Rarely Succeed
Prashant Kishor, the renowned political strategist who has recently transitioned into a politician himself, is no stranger to the challenges of the Indian political landscape. With the launch of his Jan Suraaj Party (JSP), Kishor is attempting to navigate the complex terrain of Bihar politics, aiming to offer a fresh alternative to the established parties. However, the history of political start-ups in India is fraught with difficulties, and many have failed to achieve lasting success. Several factors contribute to this high failure rate, highlighting the unique hurdles faced by those seeking to disrupt the existing political order.
One of the primary obstacles is the deeply entrenched nature of traditional political parties and their established support bases. Parties like the Congress, BJP, and various regional players have cultivated loyalVote banks over decades, often along caste, religious, or regional lines. Overcoming these pre-existing allegiances requires a monumental effort in persuasion and mobilization, a task that can be particularly challenging for new entrants with limited resources and recognition.
Moreover, Indian voters are often "awfully biased and prejudiced", making inroads for a new political party a herculean task. Getting people invested in a new political party is even tougher, as many citizens stop at voting and criticizing, and are unable to dedicate more time due to various commitments.
Ideology and Movement: Traditional Trajectory
The traditional trajectory of political parties in India suggests two trends. The first is that a party emerges from a large social mobilization, acquires a program over time, and enters electoral politics. The second is that activists inspired by an ideology create an outfit to further their ideological agenda.
Funding is another critical challenge. Political campaigns require significant financial resources to cover expenses such as rallies, advertising, and candidate support. Start-up parties often struggle to compete with established players who have access to extensive networks of donors and well-oiled fundraising machines. Furthermore, a lack of access to capital is a common problem for Indian start-ups, with venture capital firms typically targeting established ventures, making it difficult for early-stage businesses to obtain funding.
The "politico-business nexus" in India can also pose significant risks to foreign investors. Historical and systemic issues have led to scenarios where businesses are used as fronts for political figures to channel their money and influence. This can lead to reputational risks, regulatory risks, and operational risks.
Even if a political start-up manages to gain some initial traction, maintaining momentum and scaling up operations can be exceedingly difficult. Regulatory hurdles, bureaucratic obstacles, and a lack of skilled workers can all hinder growth. Furthermore, intense competition from established businesses can make it challenging for new entrants to gain a foothold in the market.
In the specific context of Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party, challenges are already apparent. The BJP has accused Kishor of running a "fraudulent political start-up" aimed at amassing black money through shell companies. They also questioned donations received by the Jan Suraaj Party from YSR Congress MP Ayodhya Rami Reddy, routed through a financially distressed company.
Despite these challenges, there are examples of political start-ups that have achieved success in India. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which emerged from public anger with corruption, caught the national imagination and took off in a meaningful way in Delhi. However, whether such a model can be replicated in a state like Bihar, with its layered history of political mobilization, remains to be seen.
Ultimately, the success of any political start-up in India depends on a complex interplay of factors, including strong leadership, a compelling message, adequate funding, effective organization, and a deep understanding of the local political dynamics. While Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party has the potential to shake up the political landscape in Bihar, it faces a steep uphill battle against entrenched interests and the historical trends that have stymied many similar ventures in the past.
